Nigerians React As FG Files Charges Against Emefiele For Illegal Possession Of Firearms

Reactions have been trailing the decision of the Federal Government, through the Department of State Services, DSS, to file a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition against suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

 

The FG, in the charge sheet seen by The DAILY BELLS accused Emefiele of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence.

 

The government maintained that the offence is contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.

 

In the second count, the suspended CBN Governor was accused of having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence, which is contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.

 

The case is yet to be assigned to a judge, but there are indications that this will be done next week.

 

Emefiele has been in the custody of the DSS since June 10. The spokesman for the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, had said it was for “investigative reasons”.

 

Afunanya, in a statement on Thursday, also disclosed that the agency had charged Emefiele to court following an Abuja High Court ruling.

 

Count one of the charges reads; That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about the 15th of June 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession one (1) Single Barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap. F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.

 

Count two: That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about June 15, 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession One Hundred and Twenty-Three (123) Rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.

Meanwhile, many Nigerians have condemned the charges filed against the suspended CBN Governor as they said they were highly disappointed.

 

According to them, contrary to the expectations that Emefiele would be charged for financial crimes, they found it disappointing that the DSS was merely filing two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition against him after more than a month in their custody.

 

A netizen, @OGBENI_BAMBAM tweeted “When you run out of grace With the Government In Power, you can be arrested for Leaving your Hair Bushy. This Is the Repercussion of “…Come Out, Let’s Fight”

 

To @CyrusAdemola, “This is daylight witch-hunting from the power-that-be. It should be condemned. You don’t have to support Emefiele to call out abuse of power. FG can do better than using state power to destroy a man.

 

Hakeem Adesanya @AccounTalks noted sarcastically, “When Emefiele was threatening the PoS operators then for adjusting their price to Economic Reality, my mind was telling me he has Firearms in his possession. Otherwise, why would you embark on a force as against CBN function to formulate monetary policies.”

 

Another netizen, @jaypeeno tweeted, “After One month of “investigation” this is all u came up with? They could have even tried to nail the IPOB sponsorship on him. Even the police managed to give portable more charges than this. I’m disappointed I really wanted this guy to go to jail.”

 

@DrealAdo said, “They couldn’t come up with any financial crime against him. Not even ONE after all the tales of “he printed cash and kept for himself and stole billions”.

 

Akintunde Akorede @AkintundeAA01 on his own part said, “You all should understand b it is a strategy to buy time for further investigation on actual crime.”

 

Paul C Nwabuikwu @paul_nwabuikwu replying to @OfficialDSSNG submitted, “The tone of this latest DSS statement on Emefiele is  different from earlier ones. No mention of “national security” and sponsorship of terrorism. They’ve been replaced with “criminal investigation” and “infractions”. Have some of his “sins” been forgiven? Time will tell.

 

Williams Idopise @williamsidopise in his tweet said; “When are they arresting Asari that openly displayed AK-47? Emefiele was only obeying instructions from President Buhari.

 

“So, it’s clear the prosecution is a vendetta. But why is former President Buhari not in detention? Wasn’t Emefiele carrying out Buhari’s instructions?”

 

However, human right activist, Omoyele Sowore @YeleSowore said; “For those who may not be familiar with the modus of the @OfficialDSSNG, holding @GodwinIEmefiele had nothing to do with the gravity of his high crimes, the game is to hold him on behalf of those in power. If @GodwinIEmefiele was to be prosecuted for his real financial crimes, economic sabotage, money laundering and terrorism financing involvement, FX round tripping etc… he would take down with him, @MBuhari, and his entire family, in-laws, members of his inner circle, lots of @OfficialAPCNg leaders, state governors, Senators, media practitioners, military and police  top brass and even people in @OfficialDSSNG, @officialEFCC as well as civil society. A lot would come crashing down. Right now negotiations are ongoing, this is just the “holding charge” before they let him go!